Ludwig potthoff



(No Model.)

L. POTTHOPF.

Draft Attachment for Vehicles. No. 232,2854 Patgmte'd Sept. 14. I880.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFroE.

LUDVVIG POTTHOFF, ()F BERLIN, PRUSSIA, GERMAN EMPIRE.

DRAFT ATTACHMENT FOR VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 232,297, dated September 14, 1880.

Application filed July17, 1880. (No model.) Patented in BelgiumFebrnarylY, 1880.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Lnnwre POTTHOFF, of the city of Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia and German Empire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Attaching Draft-Animals to Carriages, for which I have obtained a patent in the Kingdom of Belgium, No.50,584 bearin g date February 17, 1880, and of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in arran gements whereby horses or other draft-animals can be easily and quickly released from carriage poles, shafts, whiffietrees, 850., in case the horse or horses should fall or it is for any other reason desirable that the horse or horses be quickly removed or taken out.

It is well known that very many valuable horses are spoiled because the harness straps or traces cannot be quickly released in case the horse or horses should fall.

By applying thisinvention to the pole, shafts, whiffietrees, or frame of the carriage or other vehicle the horse or horses can be instantaneously freed, so that the same can get up again without being held down by their connection to the shafts, pole, &c.

In order that this invention may be clearly understood, I will now proceed to describe the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, in which like letters denote like parts in all the figures.

I will first describe my invention as applied to poles for two-horse carriages or vehicles.

Figure 1 is an elevation of my arrangements. Fig. 2 is a plan or top view, and Fig. 3 a longitudinal section, of my arrangements or appliances.

A is the pole. B is a shell, cap, or cylinder, which is attached to the extremity of the pole A. This cap, shell, or cylinder is cast of malleable iron, bronze, or other suitable metal, and attached to the pole by means of the screws 0 O, or in other suitable manner.

D D are hinge-lugs projecting from and cast of one piece with the cap B. The hooks E E are arranged between each two of these said lugs D, and so held therein by the pin, screw, or pivot F that the same can partially turn around this said pin or pivot F, like an ordinary hinge.

The hooks E are so formed that the one end is held by the pivot F, while the opposite end fits in a groove or cut, G, in the cap B. These ends of the hooks are further so formed that the outer surface of their extreme point or points fit in the groove or cavity G fiush with the circular surface of the cap B, and at the same time form a stop for the ring H, which holds the said hooks in firm contact with the cap B. H is a ring, of bronze, iron, or other suita ble metal, whichfits around the rear end of the cap B and over the ends of the hooks E, so as to prevent the hooks from being opened or turned in the hinge around or with the pivot F. i

The cap is further provided with projections or lugs M, between which the ends of the hooks E E are held, so as to prevent the hooks from moving laterally in the groove G, and to give greater strength to the hooks, although it is not absolutely necessary that these projections be used.

An inclined groove, R, is cut in the rear end of the cap B. Astop or pin runs through the ring H, so as to fit in the said inclined groove R in the rear end of the cap or cylinder B. A spring-catch, O, is arranged within the ring H, so as to prevent the same from being turned when not desired.

To free the hooks E E, press on the button or knob N so as to force or press back the catch 0, when the ring H can be turned.

The stop or pin P is guided in the groove It, so that the ring H is withdrawn from contact with the rear points of the hooks E, and the same left free to turn in the hinge D F.

Figs. 4 and 5 show a modification of my arran gements or appliances adapted to the shaft of a one-horse carriage. Fig. Grepresents the application of my invention to whiffletrees.

Having now described the nature of my in vention and the manner in which the same is to be carried out, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details hereinbefore described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, as the same may be varied without departing from the tenor of my said invention; but

What I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent isv1. Theinelined groove R, guide-pin P,cateh l carriage poles, shafts, Whiffletrees, 850., sub- 10 O and knob N of an appliance for releasin or stantially as shown in the accompanying drawatlaehing horses, &c., to carriages or vehicles ings and described in the foregoing specificaof all kinds, substantially as shown in the action. conipanying drawings and described in the foregoing specification.

2. The combination of the cap B, hook or hooks E, with the ring H and joint I), and appliances for easily releasing draft-animals from LUDWVIG POTTHOFF.

\Vitnesses:

GUSTAV EHLEN, MAX NESSELRODE. 

